About Whitewater Falls (Upper & Lower)
Upper Whitewater Falls drops about 411 feet on the Whitewater River in Nantahala National Forest, and the U.S. Forest Service calls it the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. A paved, wheelchair-accessible walk of roughly a quarter mile leads to the upper overlook. It is a day trip from the Smokies, near Sapphire and Cashiers, North Carolina, close to the South Carolina line.
The walk
The paved path begins at the end of the parking lot and ends at the upper overlook, with a view across the gorge to the falls. For a closer look, a staircase of 154 wooden steps leads to a lower overlook, and the climb back is the hard part. Energetic hikers can continue down a half-mile spur trail that drops about 600 feet to the Whitewater River and the Foothills Trail.
Fees and getting there
Recent sources list a parking fee of about $3 per vehicle, often paid by honor system. Check Nantahala National Forest for the current amount. The scenic area is off NC-281 south of the US-64 junction near Cashiers. From Gatlinburg, plan on about three hours through Cherokee. The parking lot is small and fills on fall weekends.
Upper and lower falls
Lower Whitewater Falls is downstream in South Carolina's Sumter National Forest, and it is listed at roughly 200 feet. The two are separated by about 3.5 miles of river and are best reached by the Foothills Trail; most visitors see only the upper falls.
When to go
- Spring: The heaviest flow and the most mist.
- Summer: Cool air by the overlook; crowds on weekends.
- Fall: Spectacular color in the gorge in mid- to late October.
- Winter: The road and steps can ice; call ahead.
Know before you go
Stay on the trail and behind the railings. Cell service is limited. Gorges State Park, Toxaway Falls and Rainbow Falls are all within about 30 minutes if you want to make a day of it.
Good to know
- How tall is Whitewater Falls (Upper & Lower)?
- Whitewater Falls (Upper & Lower) drops about 411 feet.
- How far is the hike to Whitewater Falls (Upper & Lower)?
- It is about 0.25 miles each way, rated easy.
- Can you swim or climb at the falls?
- Please don’t climb on or around waterfalls. Wet rock and algae are extremely slick, and falls from waterfalls are a leading cause of death in the Smokies. Enjoy the view from the trail.
